Indictment stems from USAO’s Overtown Violence Reduction Partnership

MIAMI - Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in (SAC), Drug Enforcement (DEA), Miami Field Division, Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Michael B. Steinbach, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of (FBI), Miami Field Office, Hugo J. Barrera, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and (ATF), Miami Field Office, Manuel Orosa, Chief, City of Miami Police Department, John E. Brooks, Chief, City of Sunrise Police Department, announce the indictment of ten individuals for their alleged participation in various heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana distribution conspiracies. Some of the defendants are expected to make their initial appearances today at 1:30 p.m. in front of U.S. Magistrate Andrea M. Simonton.

This indictment is, in large part, the result of the Overtown Violence Reduction Partnership, launched by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in October 2011. Through this Partnership, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and its federal and local law enforcement allies have sought to dismantle the most violent criminal networks in the Overtown neighborhood, while simultaneously working with community leaders and concerned citizens to mentor at-risk youths, provide jobs and job training to young families, and help probationers and parolees successfully re-enter society.

The 21-count indictment, returned on August 6, 2013, and unsealed today, charges the defendants with conspiracy to possess controlled substances with the intent to distribute, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section (Counts 1, 17, 18, and 19); and possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) (Counts 2-16, 20, and 21). The indictment charges the following ten individuals:

DEA SAC Mark R. Trouville stated, “Whether you live in the suburbs or the inner city, residents should be able to walk the streets and go about their lives without fear or exposure to drugs and violence. These indictments stand as a warning to those individuals whose greed drives them to pollute our streets with poison and bully the community. This collaborative effort between law enforcement and community leaders is a step in the right direction for a neighborhood that is considered one the most dangerous in Miami.”

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “Today, for the second time in the last eight months, we announce the results of the Overtown Violence Reduction Partnership, which has yet again brought together federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat violent crime in the historic Overtown neighborhood. This indictment effectively removed from Overtown’s streets ten violent and notorious drug traffickers that had been entrenched in that area. Federal law provides stiff penalties for narcotics traffickers and career offenders. Through the Overtown Violence Reduction Partnership, we stand committed to reducing street violence and narcotics trafficking, with the goal of helping to make our communities safer.”

ATF Special Agent in Charge Hugo Barrera stated, “The citizens of the Overtown can breathe a little easier tonight. Violence should never become the order of the day. The message is clear that if you choose to use a firearm to inflict violence on the innocent people of this or any other community in South Florida, you will be dealt with swiftly. Together with this seamless integration of federal, state and local law enforcement we can ensure solid investigations, successful prosecutions and long stays in prison for these predators.”

“This indictment is part of our continuing efforts to help the Overtown Community, by ridding the streets of violent crime, illegal drugs and the ill effects that they have,” said Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa. “We will continue to partner with members of the community and our partners in law enforcement at all levels to work for the betterment of Overtown and all of Miami.”

Chief John Brook of the Sunrise Police Department stated, “Acknowledging that crime in the 21st century knows no boundaries, the Sunrise Police Department is always willing to assist our partners in the Federal Government in combating violent crime and drug trafficking across South Florida. We take pride in our role in the indictments obtained by this partnership.”

This year-long, multi-agency investigation into Mark Brown’s alleged drug trafficking network was the result of the unparalleled, cooperative, investigative efforts of five different law enforcement agencies, including the DEA, the FBI, ATF, the City of Miami Police Department, and the City of Sunrise Police Department. These separate investigations were merged into a single operation under the auspices of the USAO’s Overtown Violence Reduction Partnership, resulting in today’s charges.

If convicted of the charges, the defendants face a possible statutory maximum sentence of up to forty years in prison.

This investigation was conducted by the DEA, FBI, ATF, City of Miami Police Department, and the City of Sunrise Police Department.

An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.